Matches for "Rideau Carleton Raceway "

TORONTO, October 6, 2017 - The Standardbred Alliance is pleased to announce Rideau Carleton Raceway (RCR) has joined the Ontario racetrack association.
"The Standardbred Alliance is very pleased to have Rideau come forward and ask to join in the success of this consortium," said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. "The Standardbred Alliance has delivered on its fundamental objectives of creating Standardbred racing and wagering opportunities that focus on ease-of-access for new and existing customers, while offering consistent and coordinated racing opportunities with guaranteed purses for its participants. Rideau's participation will only further ensure the association continues to achieve its key goals."
The Ottawa-area facility, which will operate as a 'Signature' track, has offered two cards under the Standardbred Alliance banner.
Led by Woodbine Entertainment, the Standardbred Alliance members represent a three-tier racing hierarchy, 'Grass Roots' (Clinton Raceway, Hanover Raceway), 'Signature' (Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway, The Raceway at Western Fair and Rideau Carleton Raceway) and 'Premier' (Mohawk Racetrack and Woodbine Racetrack).
Rideau Carleton Raceway made several modifications in their racing program to join the Standardbred Alliance, including consolidating purses into fewer race dates, specifically winter evenings, which hold the potential for cancellation due to inclement weather and operational difficulties.
"We are thrilled to be joining the Standardbred Alliance," said Richard Gardner, Secretary and Treasurer, RCR. "Joining the Alliance helps us to ensure long-term sustainability and growth for our track and enables us to continue to promote the sport of harness horse racing to new audiences."
The National Capital Region Harness Horse Association (NCRHHA) will join forces with the Central Ontario Standardbred Association (COSA) in order to streamline processes and further support Ontario horse racing.
"We are very pleased to collaborate with COSA to solidify the future stability of our Standardbred racing community at Rideau Carleton and across Ontario," said Gordon McDonald, President, NCRHHA.
"Working with the National Capital Regional Harness Horse Association will allow us to provide a unified voice for harness horsepeople racing at Woodbine, Mohawk and Rideau Carleton Racetracks," said Bill O'Donnell, President, COSA. "This expanded partnership strengthens the foundation for Ontario Standardbred owners, breeders and horsepersons."
"The strength of the Standardbred Alliance partnership, led by Woodbine's team, has benefitted our racetrack greatly and allowed our track and our horsepeople to stay in business," said Dr. Ted Clarke, General Manager of Grand River Raceway. "Adding Rideau to the partnership will strengthen the future for Standardbred racing in eastern Ontario."
Woodbine Entertainment has been responsible for management and administration of the Standardbred Alliance since it was launched in 2014.
"A successful and sustainable horse racing industry continues to have an important role to play in the economic and social life of this province, especially in rural Ontario," said Mr. Lawson. "The expanded alliance represents an unparalleled level of partnership."
John Siscos
Woodbine Entertainment Group

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 - Rideau Carleton Raceway wrapped up its 2017 Ontario Sire Stakes season with the final Grassroots event for the harness racing two-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday evening.
In the first $18,800 Grassroots division heavy favourite Neon Moon cruised to a three length victory over Color Envy and Love Kills, taking control just after the :27.4 quarter and leading the field of seven through a :57 half and 1:26.1 three-quarters on her way to the 1:54.3 victory.
"She is a very fast filly, so I thought she would probably cut the mile," noted Jack Darling, who bred, owns and trains Neon Moon. "She is very game and looked strong at the wire."
Louis-Philippe Roy engineered the win, which was the fourth in five Grassroots starts for the daughter of Sportswriter and Beach Of A Time. With a third in her other Grassroots start Neon Moon finished the regular season with 212 points and sole ownership of top spot in the division standings. She and the other nine top point earners will compete in the $50,000 Grassroots Championship at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 30.
"There is a gap of three weeks until the final, so I hope there will be a race for her at Mohawk before then," said Cambridge, ON resident Darling, whose Write Me A Song also finished in the top 10, but will not compete in the final due to an injury that brought her freshman campaign to an early close in mid-August.
Heading into the second division Askmysecretary was sitting on the edge of a championship berth, tied for ninth with 70 points. Sent off as the fans' fourth choice the Mach Three daughter left smartly from Post 5 for local reinsman Brett MacDonald, reaching the quarter in :27.4. Manotick, ON resident MacDonald opted to let favourite Duchess Dolly take the lead before the :57.1 half and then watched from the pocket as Sunday Afternoon challenged the leader through the 1:26.2 three-quarters. In the stretch MacDonald fired Askmysecretary out of the pocket and the filly pulled away to a three-quarter length victory, leaving Duchess Dolly to settle for second. Hammering Haley rounded out the top three.
The win was Askmysecretary's second in Grassroots action and boosted her point total to 120, putting her sixth in the standings and securing her berth in the championship. Ted MacDonnell of Allenford trains the winner of $25,672 for his partners Leonard Gamble of Etobicoke and Tony Lawrence of Hanover, ON and says Askmysecretary has become a true professional through her eight race freshman campaign.
"I honestly thought she was possibly a Gold filly for a little while, until some of the bear cats right off the bat came out, and then we quickly changed our mind, but she's been good in that she has had very few hiccups really," said MacDonnell. "She's been pretty easy, pretty easy on us to look after and she's pretty push button, she's nice gaited and behaves well and does everything right. Sylvain Filion did a great job bringing her along for me and that shows up now, it's meant a lot.
"Being a Mach Three they can tend to get a little warm, so that's what Sylvain really worked on, her manners, and now she's two fingers no matter what you do with her," the horseman added.
Like Darling, MacDonnell would like to see Askmysecretary have one more race under her belt before the Sept. 30 Grassroots Championship, but is pleased to be heading into the post season off a victory.
"That heads her into the final in nice shape, so that's good," said MacDonnell.
The top 10 two-year-old pacing fillies will join the top point earners from the other seven Grassroots divisions at Mohawk Racetrack for the Sept. 30 Grassroots Championships, with a total purse for all eight finals of $400,000.
OSS Program Information
For rules, notices, Program changes, up-to-date point standings, race replays, and more, visit: www.ontariosiresstakes.com
Ontario Racing

AUGUST 13, 2017 - Rideau Carleton Raceway harness racing fans were treated to an impressive display of speed and skill as the Ontario Sires Stakes arrived in the nation's capital on Sunday evening.
With almost $250,000 on the line all six Gold and Grassroots winners recorded new personal bests, Try Try Again established a new speed record for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, and the reigning Lampman Cup champion, Sylvain Filion, captured two Gold Series divisions and four overnight events.
Try Try Again opened the Gold Series competition in the evening's second race and the fans' second choice delivered a commanding front-end performance that saw him lower the track record to 1:54.4. Magic Night finished one and one-half lengths back in second while Life Well Lived was well behind the leaders in third.
"He got off the gate well in third, I removed him to the front and he was very strong from there," said Try Try Again's regular reinsman Chris Christoforou, Jr. "He was very good tonight."
Campbellville, ON resident Christoforou engineered the mile for trainer Dustin Jones of Waterdown, ON and his partners Ecuries Daniel Plouffe Inc. of Bromont, QC, Noblock Racing Stable of Collingwood, ON and Andrea Lea Racing Stables Inc. of Lakefield Gore, QC. The clocking took three-fifths of a second off the former track record for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings, set by Ontario Sired superstar Arch Madness in a 2007 Gold Series contest, and lowered Try Try Again's personal best by two-fifths of a second.
With two wins and one second in three Gold Series starts, the son of Kadabra and Sweetspellosuccess currently sits second in the division standings with 125 points and is assured of a berth in the $225,000 Super Final at Mohawk Racetrack on Oct. 14.
Filion piloted the winners of the other two Gold Series divisions, taking the first with LMC Mass Gem and the second with Capteur De Reve.
Starting from Post 4, LMC Mass Gem led from start to finish, sailing across the wire in a personal best 1:55. Mister Muscle was one and one-quarter lengths back in second, with Head Turning Jag two more lengths behind in third.
With two wins and two thirds in four Gold Series starts, LMC Mass Gem sits third, just one point behind Try Try Again, in the division standings. Nick Gallucci of Brantford trains the homebred son of Muscle Mass and Hornby Gem for Loredana Cirillo of Kleinburg, ON.
Capteur De Reve enjoyed a ground-saving trip behind pacesetter On First in the last Gold division, tipping out in the stretch and trotting home to a one length victory in a personal best 1:56.1. On First settled for second and Try Try Again's stablemate Northern Major rounded out the top three.
Filion crafted the win for trainer Max Velaye and Ecuries Provoquante of Mirabel, QC. It was the Muscle Mass son's second of the season and came in his 2017 Ontario Sires Stakes debut.
Euro Gap posted the fastest win of the three Grassroots divisions, sprinting down the Rideau Carleton Raceway stretch to a 1:55.4 personal best ahead of Yo Yo Mass and Santini. Arthur, ON resident Trevor Henry piloted Euro Gap to the victory, his first in Ontario Sires Stakes action.
"He looked good today. Trevor (Henry) said he was really good," said trainer Scott McEneny, who had to watch the gelding's winning effort on his phone after a delayed flight saw him arrive in Ottawa just 10 minutes before post time. "He's got a lot of talent; he's just had his days. His gait's not the best, he's a little pacey, and sometimes the track just doesn't suit him because of his feet."
McEneny conditions Euro Gap for his wife Michelle McEneny of Waterdown and Brad Grant and Teresa Davidson of Milton, ON. The win was the third lifetime for the son of Manofmanymissions, who has also made two appearances at the Gold Series level this season.
The other two Grassroots divisions went to Federal Flex son Bred For Greatness and Manofmanymissions son Vesuvio Bi, who trotted under the wire in 1:58.2 and 1:56.4, respectively.
Bred For Greatness reeled in Radical Road and Motown Jackpot in the stretch to score his first lifetime victory for driver Bob McClure of Elora, trainer Shane Weber of Welland and owner-breeders Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines, ON, while Vesuvio Bi took command at the half and sailed home a three and one-quarter length winner over Short Term Memory and Masster Blue. Travis Henry of Embro, ON drove Vesuvio Bi to the win for trainer Martin Lachance of Guelph, ON and owners Lachance Racing Stable of Millstone Township, NJ and Dan Mogridge of Hillsdale, ON.
The Grassroots colts and geldings will now head to Hanover Raceway on August 26 for the fifth event of their season, while the Gold Series competitors make their last regular season start at Mohawk Racetrack on September 25.
Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 10, when the two-year-old pacing fillies will compete in their last regular season Grassroots event.
OSS Program Information
For rules, notices, Program changes, up-to-date point standings, race replays, and more, visit: www.ontariosiresstakes.com
Ontario Racing

AUGUST 11, 2017 - Ontario's best three-year-old trotting colts and geldings will roll into Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday evening to compete for almost $250,000 in three harness racing Gold and three Grassroots divisions.
The Ontario Sires Stakes program's leading trainer, Mark Steacy of Lansdowne, ON, will send out one Gold Series starter and two Grassroots contenders in Sunday's event, with Dream Massive helping to kick things off in the first $65,600 Gold Series division.
"He's been good. He seems to show up, especially in most of his sires stakes, he holds his own quite well," said Steacy about the Muscle Mass colt, who will start from Post 7 in Race 2. "He's not real flashy, but he always seems to get the job done. Unfortunately he drew a tough post in a tough division this time, but I'm sure he'll do well."
Dream Massive faces a field of six that includes the top three point earners in the division, Magic Night at Post 4, R First Class at Post 2 and Try Try Again at Post 1. With one win, one third and one fourth through the first three Gold Series events, Dream Massive currently sits fifth in the standings with 70 points. The colt's regular reinsman, James MacDonald, is representing Canada in the World Driving Championship which gets under way August 12 at Alberta's Century Downs, so Arthur, ON resident Trevor Henry will pick up Dream Massive's lines in Sunday's contest.
"Trevor should be a good back-up plan," said Steacy, who trains Dream Massive for Michael Soehnlen of Dalton, OH. "I think he'll fit that horse good."
Steacy's Grassroots starters, More Than Majestic and Dontcrampmystyle, will compete in the second and third divisions, lining up behind Posts 2 and 7, respectively.
"They both should like Rideau I think," said Steacy. "I know that More Than Majestic will, because he's been over it a couple times now."
More Than Majestic shipped into Ottawa in mid-July and has a hard-closing second and a win to his credit in two starts over the Rideau Carleton oval, on July 27 and August 3. The August 3 win was the Majestic Son gelding's second lifetime and came in a personal best 1:58.4.
"Again, he's not a real flashy horse either, but he's always knocking on the door and he raced good last week," said the trainer. "I think he'll do okay."
Steacy's son Clarke, who also makes his home in Lansdowne, will steer More Than Majestic in Sunday's sixth race for owners Landmark 9 Racing Stable of Kingston, ON, Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. of Hudson, QC and Bridle Path Stables Ltd. of Ossining, NY.
Like Dream Massive, Dontcrampmystyle will be hampered by Post 7 in his quest for a second Ontario Sires Stakes victory. Another son of Muscle Mass, Dontcrampmystyle has one win, one second and one seventh through the first three Grassroots events and currently sits third in the standings with 77 points.
"I'm not sure what he's in against, but he did get one OSS win and it's possible he could do that again," said Steacy, who conditions the gelding for owner-breeder Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Wallenstein, ON and will hand the lines over to Trevor Henry in the ninth race. "He's always kind of the same way, knocking at the doors, and if somebody makes an error he'll be there."
The Grassroots competitors will be featured in Races 1, 6 and 9, with the Gold Series colts showing off their skills in Races 2, 8 and 13. The first race goes in behind the starting gate at 6:30 pm.
In addition to the Ontario Sires Stakes battles, Rideau Carleton Raceway fans will also be treated to a Racing Under Saddle (RUS) contest in the fourth race. Among the trotters that will don a saddle and rider rather than a race bike and driver are three former Ontario Sires Stakes competitors, Thor Seelster, Amityville Lindy and Lets Leavem.
Thor Seelster, who will start from Post 2 with Clinton, ON resident Natalie Elliott aboard, was a two-time RUS winner in 2015, Amityville Lindy makes his RUS debut from Post 4 with Stacey Reinsma, of Cambridge, ON, in the saddle, and Lets Leavem comes into Sunday's contest off an August 4 RUS victory at Grand River Raceway. Freelton, ON resident Sarah Town piloted Lets Leavem to the August 4 win and will be back in the saddle on Sunday, guiding the Angus Hall son from Post 5.
Racing Under Saddle volunteers will be on hand all evening to answer questions about the program and fans are invited to meet the riders following the fifth race. More information about Racing Under Saddle is available at http://rusontario.com.
Fans will also have an opportunity to win one of 10 Ontario Sires Stakes prize packages, with ballots available in the program. The first 100 people to arrive for the evening's festivities will receive a $2 betting voucher with their program purchase and all programs contain a coupon for a $2.50 hot dog and pop combo.
In addition to Sunday's Ontario Sires Stakes event, Rideau Carleton Raceway will also host the final regular season Grassroots event for the two-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday, Sept. 10.
OSS Program Information
For rules, notices, Program changes, up-to-date point standings, race replays, and more, visit: www.ontariosiresstakes.com
Ontario Racing

Québécois harness racing driver Louis-Philippe Roy has announced that he will be leaving the province of Quebec within a month to take on the best drivers in the world at the Meadowlands and Yonkers Racing.
Roy hopes to follow in the footsteps of world-renowned drivers Yannick Gingras and Daniel Dube and make the big move from Quebec to the New York-New Jersey area.
Roy, 28, hails from Mont-Joli, Quebec and is having a breakout career season. He is the current leading driver at two tracks in Canada, Rideau Carlton Raceway with 117 wins and also at the Hippodrome 3R with 57 wins.
"Drivers Simon Allard and Yannick Gingras made me a pressing invitation in recent weeks to come and drive in the USA," Roy said. "So I will try my luck. I will try at the Meadowlands, specifically where there will be races on Fridays and Saturdays in the coming months and hopefully at Yonkers Raceway too. There are a lot of tracks in the area.
"Yannick assured me that I would have horses to drive," Roy said, "and there is no one more connected that Yannick, that's for sure. It is not a blind leap of faith I am taking.
"I do not know when I can start," Roy explained. "It will depend on the ease more or less of when I can get a temporary work permit. It is not so simple. It could come soon, maybe within a month or so, I am not sure, but I know it will come. I even told my current employer that this week would be my last, so you know I am taking this move seriously."
Roy started driving harness horses professionally in 2008 on the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit. After seven years of learning the ropes he had a good season in 2015, winning 58 races and $166,000(US) in purses with the horses he drove. Many local owners, trainers and fans saw that Roy had exceptional talent driving and that has continued in 2016.
Roy currently has 191 wins in 2016 and purses won at $656,000 (US), but most impressive is his Universal Driving Rating or batting average, which is at .424.
Talented young harness racing drivers from the province of Quebec that have gone on to become world renowned drivers in the sport has been taking place for many years.
The great driver Herve Filion, his brothers Yves and Henri Filion, Yves's son, Sylvain Filion, Michel Lachance, Yannick Gingras, Daniel Dube, Luc Ouellette, Gilles Gendron, Lucien Fontaine, Jimmy Larente, Gilles Lachance, Stephane Brouchard, Simon Allard and many more from Quebec have made their mark in harness racing in the USA.
According to the world's top harness driver, Yannick Gingras, "I got to meet him (LPR) a little at 3R." Gingras said. "And he seems like a very nice guy with great hands. He sits "right" in the bike and he seems to have all the tools including a good head on his shoulders.
"I talked to a few friends of mine at home about him," Gringras explained, "and everyone had nothing but good things to say about him. We have been in communication since the summer and I'm very happy he's making the move now. There's definitely a need for a new driver around here and I will do my best to help him achieve his goals the same way I was helped when I moved here."
Roy was also influenced in his decision when he traveled to Prince Edward Island in August and won the prestigious Gold Cup and Saucer Final at Charlottetown Driving Park and recently was second with Yagonnakissmeornot in the $311,000 (CA) final of the Milton Stake for older pacing mares at Mohawk Raceway in Ontario.
"Winning for Rene Allard in the Gold Cup and Saucer and being second for him in the Milton Stake helped me to get great visibility," Roy said, "and from there I told myself that it might be the right time to try it, but I thought about it before as how I want to spend my life in the future.
"If I want to be a harness racing driver full time," Roy explained, "I got to go somewhere else because racing in Quebec and Ottawa makes it hard to earn a living without having another job then just driving. With Simon Allard and Yannick Gingras telling me that I should try it in the USA this winter, it convinced me to go for it."
Daniel Delisle has been the track handicapper at the Hippodrome 3R for many years and had this to say about Louis-Philippe Roy.
"I have had the privilege of witnessing the ascent in the world of harness racing of both Daniel Dube and Yannick Gingras," Delisle said, "who as Louis-Philippe Roy, made their professional debut at 3R and I must say that the progress of Louis-Philippe is equally phenomenal. It can only be successful in the USA and that's what all the world wants for him in Quebec.
"One advantage is that he has is that he is a young man, simple and articulate," Delisle said. "and he has such natural ability which to succeed in this industry is a necessary asset. He will be missed by many in Quebec, but his future looks very bright in harness racing."
By Steven Wolf, for the Hippodrome 3R

AUGUST 21, 2016 - Ontario's talented three-year-old pacing fillies were the featured performers on the second half of Rideau Carleton Raceway's Family Day double header Sunday and the harness racing distaffers delivered impressive efforts in three Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots and two Gold Series divisions.
Goodwill Hanover posted the fastest mile of the evening in the first $105,000 Gold division, going gate-to-wire in 1:51.3. Lay Lady Lay pressed the pace through the middle stages of the race, but had to settle for second, one and one-quarter lengths behind the winner. Fan favourite Mayhem Seelster was right behind Lay Lady Lay in third.
"This is the first time that, in the year or so that we've had her now, that she's gone away from home, if you like, to a race at a different track other than Mohawk, or a local track, and so we were concerned about that," said trainer Dr. Ian Moore about his cantankerous filly. "But she trucked down with Doyle Transport in a box stall, and she was pretty good, they were watching in the camera, and she's been pretty good all day. She didn't quite eat all her lunch, but not bad, so anyway we're all very happy."
Paul MacDonell of Guelph, ON piloted Goodwill Hanover to her first Gold Series win of 2016 for Moore and owners GLB Stable of Lakeview, NS. The win boosts the Big Jim daughter's sophomore record to four wins and one second in 11 starts for earnings of $203,469.
In addition to the long trip away from home, Moore also spent some time worrying about a change in Goodwill Hanover's routine that saw MacDonell handle all the filly's on-track warm-ups Sunday.
"I was in Trois-Rivieres today with Rockin In Heaven in the Prix D'Ete, so I just made it here in time for the race, just got here about a minute to post," said the trainer, who alerted the filly's caretaker Vicki Paulic once he realised he would not make it to Ottawa in time. "Paul got along excellent with her and Vicki, she's done a heck of a job with her."
The Guelph resident also handed credit for the filly's victory to owners GLB Stable, who remained stalwart while Goodwill Hanover struggled to find the winner's circle in July and August.
"The owners of Goodwill Hanover have been great, Karl, Stephen and Deanna Tufts and Start Rath, the GLB Stable, they've been fantastic," said Moore. "I was telling them all the options for trucking her down here and they said, well the best option is to truck her in a box stall with Doyle's and we'll pay for the whole truck, so you know, I like to see them rewarded for doing that. It makes me feel good that we, meaning the mare and all of us, can give back to them for all their support."
Next up on Goodwill Hanover's schedule is the Simcoe, back at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 3, and she will wrap up her regular season Gold career at the Campbellville oval on Sept. 30. Sunday's win should assure the filly of a berth in the season ending Super Final on Oct. 15, where Moore hopes she can give reigning division champion L A Delight a run for her money.
"There's only one of those (Gold) left and then hopefully the Super Final and, of course, L A Delight is going to be tough as nails, there's no doubt about that, but you know if this mare acts well and everything goes good for her maybe we'll give her a run," mused Moore. "I don't know, we'll see what happens."
L A Delight extended her two-year Gold Series unbeaten streak to nine with a victory in the second $105,000 division at Rideau Carleton on Sunday. The Bettor's Delight daughter and regular reinsman Randy Waples took control of the race before the half and were easy one and one-half length winners over Divas Image and Bourbon Seelster in 1:52.
Milton resident Waples piloted the heavy favourite to her fifth sophomore victory for trainer Bob McIntosh of Windsor and his partners Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington, ON and C S X Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The win pushed L A Delight's career earnings to within $2,000 of the $1 million mark.
In Grassroots action Glorious Delight kicked things off with a 1:54 victory that saw her step out of the pocket in the stretch and reel in pacesetter Heavenly Bet. Westsluckycam earned the third-place finisher's share of the $18,000 Grassroots purse.
Campbellville resident Mike Saftic piloted Glorious Delight to the win for trainer Dustin Jones of Waterdown, ON and owner-breeder Emerald Highlands Farm of Mount Vernon, OH. The win was the Bettor's Delight daughter's second of the season and her first in Grassroots competition.
Windsun Glory captured the second Grassroots division, capping off a successful night for driver Doug McNair, who recorded three wins, two seconds, one third and two off the podium results from eight drives on Sunday evening. A patient steer saw Windsun Glory sprint by the leaders to her 1:53.1 victory, besting Bernadette and Golden Idol by two lengths.
"She raced good," said McNair. "She loves a trip like that - leave, sit and get through late."
McNair drove the Mach Three filly to her third Grassroots win for trainer Murray Brethour of Sunderland and his partners Windsun Farm Inc. of Uxbridge, Kevin McKinlay of Holland Landing and Jim Fielding of Toronto, ON. Through 18 starts Windsun Glory now has six wins, two seconds, three thirds and earnings of $88,092.
The final Grassroots trophy was awarded to fan favourite Noone To Depend On, who cruised along on the front end to a three length victory in 1:54.1. Killean Finale and Diamond Tested finished second and third.
Jody Jamieson of Moffat drives the Santanna Blue Chip daughter for his father, trainer Carl Jamieson of Rockwood, and sister, Brandy Jamieson of Milton, ON. Noone To Depend On has been completely dependable in the Grassroots this season, scoring three wins and one third for a total of 162 points, good enough for top spot in the division standings with one regular season event remaining.
"She's a real nice filly," said driver Jamieson. "She's making a mint racing in the Grassroots circuit. It's just too bad there aren't more Grassroots Series races left."
The Grassroots fillies will wrap up their regular season at Clinton Raceway on Sept. 4. The top 20 point earners through the six regular season events will advance to the Sept. 16 Semi-finals at Mohawk Racetrack, with the top five finishers from each Semi-final competing in the $50,000 Grassroots Championship at Mohawk on Sept. 24.
Ontario Racing

AUGUST 4, 2016 - Ontario's talented harness racing two-year-old trotting colts invaded Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday evening and Mass Production posted the quickest mile of the three Ontario Sire Stakes Gold and two Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots divisions.
Starting from Post 3 in third $70,000 Gold division, Mass Production made an early break in stride that left him 12 lengths behind pacesetter Parkhill Nonstop by the :28.4 quarter. Still 12 lengths behind at the :58.3 half, Mass Production started to gain ground as Parkhill Nonstop handed over front end control to Vero Amore Bi heading by the 1:28 three-quarters.
Turning for home Mass Production was five and one-half lengths back, but when trainer-driver Rick Zeron saw Vero Amore Bi go off stride he quickly shifted his colt into overdrive. Sprinting down the stretch Mass Production hit the wire three-quarters of a length in front of Parkhill Nonstop in a personal best 1:58.3. Rosberg was promoted from fourth to third after it was determined that Vero Amore Bi did not lose ground while off stride.
"Mass made a miscue in the first turn, I don't know why, but he came back trotting and settled down," said Zeron. "So I just sat back with him and waited for the head of the lane, then I spoke to the big colt and he responded perfectly for me.
"He's a great colt," added the Oakville resident, who shares ownership of the Muscle Mass son with James Walker of Port Perry, Bruno Dipoce of Wasaga Beach, ON and Rene Allard of Matamoras, PA.
Thursday's victory was Mass Production's second in Gold Series action. The gelding, a $32,000 purchase from the Canadian Yearling Sale, was also victorious at Georgian Downs in the July 9 season opener. He finished a narrowly beaten second in the July 25 Gold Leg at Mohawk Racetrack and currently sits atop the Gold Series standings with 125 points.
The first Gold division went to Life Well Lived in a personal best 1:59.3. After getting away fourth from Post 4, driver Travis Henry sent Life Well Lived after the lead before the :59.4 half and the colt was well in control by the 1:28.4 three-quarters. Without facing a challenge, Life Well Lived sailed down the stretch to a three and one-half length victory over Warrawee Shipshape and fan favourite Clarion Hall.
"He's a nice horse to drive," said Henry. "He's very calm and well- mannered and you can do whatever you want with him."
Carmen Auciello conditions Life Well Lived for Robert Burgess of Cedar Valley, ON, who offered up $33,000 for the son of Muscle Mass and Life Class at the 2015 Forest City Yearling Sale. In his first two Gold Series starts the colt finished second to Rose Run Speedster and Thursday's victory moved him into third in the Gold standings with 100 points, right behind his rival.
The second Gold division went to Dream Massive, who powered away from Post 4 and landed in second as Magic Night led the Gold Series field to a :29.3 opening quarter. Driver James MacDonald and Dream Massive continued to shadow the pacesetter through the 1:00.4 half and 1:30.1 three-quarters and then tipped out for the stretch drive. As Dream Massive accelerated past Magic Night the pacesetter went off stride and Dream Massive opened up to a two and one-quarter length win in 1:59.1. Pennant Seelster recovered from his own early break in stride to be second, while fan favourite Rose Run Speedster settled for third after dodging the breaking Magic Night.
"He is a nice going colt who finally found his luck," said trainer Mark Steacy of Dream Massive's first lifetime victory. "He made a green break in his first race when we felt he would be close, and he raced well last time.
"He fought off a slight virus this time to race very good," added the Lansdowne, ON resident, who trains the son of Muscle Mass for Michael Soehnlen of Dalton, OH.
Dream Massive finished eighth in the July 9 opener at Georgian Downs after making a break and then bounced back to finish third in the July 25 event at Mohawk Racetrack. Thursday's victory boosted the colt's earnings to $43,400 and his Gold Series point tally to 63.
Rideau Carleton Raceway fans were also treated to a pair of $18,000 Grassroots divisions and former Gold Series competitor Santini captured the first one, going gate-to-wire in 1:59.4. A pair of Robert McIntosh trainees - My Big Kadillac and Willie Wonka - finished three and one-quarter lengths back in second and third.
The win was Santini's first, after the Kadabra colt finished fifth and fourth in the July 9 and 25 Gold Legs. Richard Simard piloted fan favourite Santini to the win for trainer Stephen Oldford of Croswell, MI and his partner Gene Oldford Farms LLC of St. Clair, MI. The colt was a $40,000 acquisition from last fall's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
After finishing second and third in the first Grassroots division, trainer Bob McIntosh captured the second division with Many A Man. The Manofmanymissions son and driver Randy Waples took control before the half and never looked back, trotting home to a one and three-quarter length victory in 2:00. The fan favourite bested Zorgwijk Rocket and Little Lion Man.
The win was Many A Man's second straight in Grassroots action and moved him into third spot in the division standings with 113 points. Windsor, ON resident McIntosh and his partners C S X Stables of Liberty Center, OH and Dave Boyle of Bowmanville, ON bred and share ownership of Many A Man, who is a half-brother to $389,221 winner Dr Cal.
The fifth Grassroots contest for the two-year-old trotting colts goes postward at Hiawatha Horse Park on August 13, while the Gold Series colts head to Mohawk Racetrack for their fourth event on August 12.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 21 with the fourth Gold event for the three-year-old pacing fillies.
Ontario Racing

AUGUST 3, 2016 - Rideau Carleton Raceway rolls out the red carpet for Ontario's best harness racing two-year-old trotting colts on Thursday, August 4, hosting two $18,000 Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots divisions and three $70,000 Ontario Sire Stakes Gold Series battles.
In addition to the on-track action, Ottawa area fans will have an opportunity to join the winner's circle celebrations following the second Grassroots division by playing the Ontario Sires Stakes "Be A Winner" contest. Among the colts hoping to find their way to the Rideau Carleton winner's circle from the second division is Tougher Than Ever, who is co-owned by Ottawa resident Mel Hartman.
"He's a homebred, part owned by Mr. Hartman, who is one of the best owners in the business," noted Tougher Than Ever's New Jersey-based trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman.
Tougher Than Ever finished fourth in the Grassroots season opener at Georgian Downs on July 9, and then recorded a 2:02.2 victory in the July 20 event at Grand River Raceway. Unfortunately, the son of Kadabra and One Tough Lass made a break in the July 28 contest at Mohawk Racetrack, so Hartman and his co-owners Herb Liverman of Miami Beach, FL and David McDuffee of Delray Beach, FL are hoping the youngster demonstrates a return to form on Thursday.
"He's a good, solid horse," said Norman. "That was an out of character break last week."
Veteran reinsman Jack Moiseyev of Moffat, ON will steer Tougher Than Ever from Post 6 in the sixth race on Thursday. Among the colts the pair will face is July 28 division winner Many A Man from Post 2.
Fans hoping to meet Tougher Than Ever, Many A Man or one of their peers can enter the Ontario Sires Stakes "Be A Winner" contest for a chance to join the Race 6 winner's circle celebrations. One finalist will be drawn from the ballot boxes representing each colt in the race and each finalist will receive an Ontario Sires Stakes t-shirt, ball cap, and lanyard badge, along with a $15 win-place-show wager on their chosen horse.
After cheering home their chosen horses, the winning finalist will join their horse and his connections in the winner's circle. A jacket and golf shirt will be added to the grand prize winner's Ontario Sires Stakes wardrobe, and they will also receive a trophy, commemorative photograph and $50 wagering voucher.
In addition to Race 6, the two-year-old trotting colt Grassroots competitors will also battle in Race 4, while the Gold Series colts show off their skills in Races 1, 8 and 11. Post time for Rideau Carleton Raceway's Thursday evening program is 6:30 pm.
Ontario Racing

Ontario's two-year-old trotting fillies journeyed to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday evening for their fifth Grassroots test and Traviata picked the perfect time to earn her first lifetime victory, touring co-owner Mel Hartman's local oval in 1:59.3.
In rein to Greely, ON resident Ted McDonald, Traviata lined up behind Post 1 in the third Grassroots division and landed fourth on the rail, watching Shezastrikin Loral put up a :30.1 opening quarter.
Heading for the 1:01.1 half McDonald sent Traviata after the lead and the filly led the field by the 1:29.2 three-quarters.
Bahama Mama AS mounted a late challenge, but Traviata dug in to post a three-quarter length win. Bahama Mama AS finished second and Dayliner was third.
"She's a nice little filly," said trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman. "She's just nice and solid, doesn't do anything special, but very solid and very reliable."
Norman selected the filly out of the 2014 Harrisburg Yearling Sale, offering up $35,000 for the daughter of Kadabra and $181,741 winner Nirvana Blue Chip for his own Enzed Racing Stable Inc., and then sold a share to Ottawa resident Hartman.
"I just liked the look of her, and she wasn't crazy expensive or anything," recalled the New Zealand native, who currently resides in Allentown, NJ. "And Mel Hartman, one of my good owners, went partners with me on her."
Traviata made her debut in the July 7 Grassroots opener at Georgian Downs and looked poised to collect a cheque when she made a late break in stride, finishing seventh.
After missing the next two Grassroots events due to a bout of sickness that went through Norman's barn, Traviata returned to action in the Aug. 8 event at Georgian Downs and logged a second-place result.
Anticipating another solid effort from the young trotter, Norman decided a local driver was his best option for Sunday's test, and handed the lines over to McDonald.
"Teddy's been one of the solid drivers there for a long time, and I've met him a few times. It's always good to use a local guy I think," said Norman of his selection. "Teddy always does a good job."
Sunday's win boosted Traviata's Grassroots point tally to 77, which will give her a shot at a Semi-final berth if she can earn a few more points in the last regular season event at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 8.
Liseberg and Cadillac Sally virtually assured themselves of a spot in the Sept. 17 Semi-final with their second Grassroots wins in the first and second divisions on Sunday.
Fan favourite Liseberg opened the evening with an impressive gate-to-wire score from Post 4, halting the Rideau Carleton Raceway teletimer at 1:58.2.
The Johnny William daughter hit the wire six and one-half lengths ahead of Windsongmusclelady and Onatopp.
Owned, trained and driven by Peterborough, ON resident Dagfin Henriksen, Liseberg finished third in her July 30 Grassroots debut at Mohawk Racetrack and then posted her first lifetime victory in the Aug. 8 event at Georgian Downs. She currently sits in a tie for sixth in the standings with 112 points.
In the second $18,000 division, driver Alfie Carroll let favourite Cadillac Sally float away from Post 3 and watched from the pocket as Females Rule rang up fractions of :29, :59.3 and 1:28.4.
Tipping out of the pocket heading by the three-quarters, Cadillac Sally accelerated away to a one length victory over Mariana and T C Sno Massive, stopping the clock in a personal best 1:58.1.
Iona Station, ON resident Carroll engineered the Muscle Mass filly's second Grassroots win for trainer Gregg McNair of Guelph, ON and owner Jarold Hawks of Jeddo, MI.
With two wins, one second and one third in four Grassroots starts, Cadillac Sally has 137 points and sits fourth in the standings.
Like Traviata, Very Classy earned her first lifetime victory in the last Grassroots division.
Starting from Post 3, the Manofmanymissions daughter got away third and driver Steve Byron tipped her into the outer lane heading for the halfway marker.
When first-up The Muscle Touch made an error turning for home, Very Classy had a clear lane to the finish and trotted down the stretch to a one and three-quarter length victory over Myretirementticket and Tala Seelster in 2:01.
Byron, who makes his home in Thornton, ON, drives Very Classy for trainer John Bax of Campbellville, ON, breeders Glengate Farms of Campbellville, Happy Trails Stables of London, ON and Kenneth Andrews of Peterborough.
With one second, one sixth and one eighth in her first three Grassroots outings, Very Classy has now accumulated 79 points.
The freshman trotting fillies were the final Ontario Sires Stakes division to visit Rideau Carleton Raceway this summer, and they will wrap up their own regular season at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 8.
Ontario Horse Racing

Rideau Carleton Raceway fans were treated to six outstanding battles by the two-year-old pacing colts at the harness racing meeting on Thursday as the province's best Grassroots and Gold Series competitors brought their "A" game to the Ottawa oval.
The Grassroots colts kicked things off in Race 3 and Sporty Mercedes set the tone for the evening, ringing up a :27.4 quarter, :57 half and 1:25.1 three-quarters and then battling favourite Vegas Dream all the way to the wire to score a neck victory in 1:55.1. Shadows Pro was well back in third. The win was Sporty Mercedes' first in three Grassroots appearances. "He raced tough," said Guelph, ON resident McNair of Sporty Mercedes. "They liked him early and he got a little pouty, so they gelded him. He seems to be much better."
McNair piloted the Sportswriter son to the win for trainer Blake MacIntosh of Waterdown, ON and his partners Dan and Kim Sergeant of Straffordville, ON.
In six starts Sporty Mercedes now has two wins and one second for earnings of $14,840.
The win was one of two for McNair, who also piloted the winner of the first Gold Series division.
Starting from Post 5 the reinsman hustled Nvestment Bluechip out to an early lead and then allowed Voracity to take control before the :28 quarter.
Inspiration View went to the front before the :57.2 half and the colts continued to sit one, two, three en route to the 1:25.2 three-quarters.
Randy Waples elected to tip Voracity to the outside to challenge Inspiration View, so McNair opted for the passing lane and the colts stormed under the wire in a crowd.
After careful review Nvestment Bluechip was determined to have a scant nose in front of Voracity, and Matchplay Hanover was three-quarters of a length back in third.
"He was still pacing halfway down the lane, but so was Randy's horse."
"I didn't think I could catch him," said McNair. "I still didn't think I won after the race."
The win was McNair's first appearance in Nvestment Bluechip's race bike and the driver -- last year's leader in the Ontario Sires Stakes program -- was impressed with the Dave Menary trainee.
"He dug in tough to win," said the driver. "He's a smart colt, very relaxed."
The win was Nvestment Bluechip's second in Gold Series action.
The Shadow Play son also captured his division in the July 11 season opener at Mohawk Racetrack for owners Menary Racing Inc. of Rockton, ON, Michael Guerriero of Puslinch, ON, Denis Breton of Welland, ON and Thomas Kyron of Toronto, ON.
The other $105,000 Gold division at Rideau Carleton on Thursday went to Semi Automatic, who also arrived in the winner's circle by way of the passing lane.
Starting from Post 2 driver James MacDonald landed the colt on the rail in second behind pacesetter Heavymetal Hanover and followed that colt through fractions of :26.4, :56.2 and 1:24.2 before bursting through in the stretch and accelerating away to a two length victory in 1:54.
Heavymetal Hanover settled for second and Stonebridge Beach was third.
"The horse was amazing tonight," said Guelph, ON resident MacDonald. "I got a good helmet to follow and the horse did the rest."
Puslinch resident Tony O'Sullivan conditions Semi Automatic for his partners Let It Ride Stables Inc. of Boca Raton, FL and J And T Silva Stables LLC of Long Beach, NY.
In five starts the Badlands Hanover gelding now has two wins, one second and one third, with his other victory coming in elimination action for the Battle Of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway on July 27.
The quickest mile of the four Grassroots divisions was clocked by Blue Zombie, whose 1:54.2 score salvaged an otherwise unprofitable evening for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Casie Coleman.
Coleman asked the New Jersey-based Tetrick to make the trip north to steer two Gold Series colts and Blue Zombie, but both Betting Line and A Bettors Risk made breaks in their respective Gold divisions.
Blue Zombie however, dominated the fourth Grassroots split, firing straight to the front from Post 2 and laying down fractions of :28, :57.1 and 1:25.3 on his way to a five and one-half length win in 1:54.2.
Kokanee Seelster and Azul Pool rounded out the top three.
"He gets better every start, so we are really happy with him every week right now," said Coleman, adding that the colt is being prepped for the Metro Pace Eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack on August 29.
The Cambridge, ON resident shares ownership of Blue Zombie with her partners in the West Wins Stable of Cambridge and Adriano Sorella of Milton, ON.
In four starts the Bettors Delight gelding now has two wins and one third, all in Grassroots action.
The other Grassroots trophies went home with St Lads Moonwalk and Secrecy.
St Lads Moonwalk sprinted down the stretch to a one-half length victory in 1:56 in the second division, besting fan favourite Print Media and Bingo Ingo.
The Mach Three son was piloted to his first lifetime win by Campbellville, ON resident Mike Saftic for owner-trainer Jack Darling of Cambridge.
Secrecy and driver Sylvain Filion of Milton took command heading for the three-quarter pole and never glanced back, cruising home one and one-quarter length winners over Continual Hanover and Day Trade Hanover.
The Mach Three gelding's first lifetime win was clocked in 1:55.3. Eric Adams conditions Secrecy for Millar Farms of Newmarket, ON.
The Gold Series competitors now have a six and one-half week break in their Ontario Sires Stakes schedule, while the Grassroots colts make their fourth start at Georgian Downs on August 23.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Rideau Carleton Raceway this Sunday on OSS Family Fun Night, featuring four Grassroots divisions for the two-year-old trotting fillies and a host of fun-filled activities for families.
Ontario Horse Racing

JULY 5, 2015 - Just over two years ago Brian Peterson made the leap from harness racing fan to yearling owner and four weeks ago he made his first start as a trainer, winning an overnight event with three-year-old trotting filly Amoureuse Hanover.
On Sunday Peterson shipped Amoureuse Hanover to Rideau Carleton Raceway for the second Gold Leg of the season and the filly delivered a track record equalling 1:55.3 effort to give the Port Hope, ON resident his first training win in the Ontario Sires Stakes program.
"My wife and I just started going to Kawartha Downs to watch the races about six years ago, and I just kept on getting more and more interested in it and decided I wanted to give it a go," said Peterson of his transformation from fan to owner.
Peterson purchased two yearlings from Hanover Shoe Farms in the spring of 2013 and, with the help of his friend and long-time horseman John Smith, started to teach them the basics of racing. One year later Amoureuse Hanover was ready to qualify and the daughter of Pilgrims Taj and A Youre Adorable proved good enough for the Gold Series.
Racing out of Smith's barn, the two-year-old Amoureuse Hanover posted one win and two seconds in Gold Series action, and finished fourth in her elimination and the final of the Peaceful Way at Mohawk Racetrack, for freshman earnings of $102,435.
With an additional year of knowledge under his belt, Peterson stepped into the training role in time for Amoureuse Hanover's second start this season, and the filly rewarded him with a 1:56.3 victory at Mohawk Racetrack. In the June 18 Gold Series opener one week later the filly finished fifth for her newly minted trainer and driver Mike Saftic of Campbellville, ON.
"She was good as a two-year-old, and this year she just seems to have matured," said Peterson. "She just wasn't quite as driveable. Last year she was just to the front, to the front and there was no stopping her. This year she's learned to race.
"Mike's done a great job driving her this year, an awesome job."
Amoureuse Hanover showed off her maneuverability in Sunday's Gold Leg, circling out three-wide at the three-quarters and accelerating home to reel in the leaders and fend off a late challenge from runner-up Lady Ping. Fan favourite Stubborn Belle rounded out the top three in the 1:55.3 mile, which matched the three-year-old trotting filly track record set by the great Peaceful Way in 2004.
While Amoureuse Hanover has been a full-blown success for the novice horseman, Peterson has not been so lucky with the pacing colt he acquired.
"He hasn't made it to the races yet. He's got some leg issues that I've been dealing with, so he's still unraced," explained Peterson.
"Gary (Oliver), I board my horses at his place now, he says, 'You've got the one percent and you've got the 99 per cent,'" Peterson added with a laugh.
One percenter Amoureuse Hanover will attempt to continue her successful season in the third Gold Leg at Mohawk Racetrack on July 16. Joining her will be division leader Muscle Baby Doll, who won her second straight Gold Series trophy in the other $105,000 division at Rideau Carleton on Sunday.
Starting from Post 1, driver Doug McNair allowed Muscle Baby Doll to float away from the gate into fifth spot while Juanitas Fury battled her way to the :28.2 opening quarter. Heading for the :58 half McNair tipped the heavy favourite to the outside and Muscle Baby Doll made a powerful move to the front and had opened up a two length lead before the 1:26.2 three-quarters.
LMC Marshmellow attempted to catch Muscle Baby Doll in the stretch, but the leader refused to yield and hit the wire three-quarters of a length on top in 1:56. Juanitas Fury finished third.
Guelph, ON resident McNair engineered the win for trainer Tony O'Sullivan of Cambridge, ON and owners F. Bellino And Sons LLC of Bronxville, NY. The victory was Muscle Baby Doll's fourth in five starts this season, boosting the Muscle Mass daughter's earnings to $127,640, and giving her sole ownership of top spot in the division with 100 points.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday, August 13 with a unique program that will feature both the Grassroots and Gold Series divisions of two-year-old pacing colts.
Ontario Horse Racing

After consultation with industry partners, both Flamboro Downs and Rideau Carleton Raceway have both cancelled Sunday's (February 15) scheduled cards of harness racing due to the extreme cold weather conditions predicted for the area.
Management at both Flamboro and Rideau apologize for any inconvenience the cancellation may cause.
Flamboro’s next scheduled day of harness racing is Thursday, February 19. First race post time is 6 p.m.
Rideau is scheduled to race again on Sunday, February 22.

Stephane Lareau's first five wins of the season all came in one night as he dominated Rideau Carleton Raceway's 2015 opening card on Sunday.
Lareau bookended the 14-race card with victories aboard Angel Land ($3.70) for trainer James Lamacchia and Stonebridge Regent ($14.20) for Daniel Laflamme. He was also victorious in the eighth race with Kathy McBride's three-race streaker Ill Bea Star Too ($3.70) and went right back out to win with trotter Undercover Bro ($7.60) in the ninth and then Wildsville ($10.50) in the 12th race to help Richard Lareau complete a training double.
Stephane Lareau was one of Rideau's top 10 drivers last year earning 45 of his 61 wins at the Ottawa oval.
Announcer Idol returns to Flamboro Downs
Flamboro Downs' popular Announcer Idol contest returned at the Dundas, Ontario track on Sunday night for the second edition, with Giant FM's Mike Tyler the first to give a call.
Every Sunday night through March 22, a different, local broadcast media personality will step into the booth alongside track announcer Gary Guy and call the evening’s third race. At the end of March, Flamboro’s fans and patrons will have their say by visiting the track's website to vote for their favourite race call. The winning announcer will receive a donation to the local charity of their choice, compliments of Flamboro Downs and Great Canadian Gaming.
Last year's inaugural edition of Announcer Idol was won by Y10's Brian West, who donated his winnings to Y108 Children's Fund.
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Cowboy Caper returns quick dividens
Fresh off the claim, Cowboy Caper debuted from the Justin Currie stable with a winning performance in Sunday's $10,500 Open Pace at Fraser Downs.
Cowboy Caper sat third for most of the mile in the 10th race feature before kicking home to earn his first win of the year with Travis Bowman aboard.
Even-money favourite Sterling Cooper (John Chappell) worked his way to the lead through a :26.3 opening quarter and overtook inside starter Gable Blue Chip (J.F. Gagne) in front of the grandstand with Cowboy Caper following in third. Sterling Cooper led the field past the half in :56 and three-quarters in 1:24.2 while Lizard King (David Hudon) tipped out from fourth, but was unable to improve his position.
Heading down the stretch, Sterling Cooper was swarmed from both sides by Gable Blue Chip, who took to the passing lane, and the rallying Cowboy Caper, who prevailed on the outside by one and a half lengths in 1:54 over the "good" track. Rock Allstar (Brandon Campbell) closed late from the backfield to steal second-place over Gable Blue Chip and Sterling Cooper.
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Anderlecht stormed home from the backfield to prevail by a neck in the $6,500 Winners Over Handicap pacing feature on Sunday night at Rideau Carleton Raceway for leading trainer John MacMillan.
The nine-year-old son of Cams Card Shark earned his second consecutive win with driver Rheo Filion in the sulky.
Assigned outside his seven rivals, Anderlecht followed cover three-wide from fourth over into the stretch, then fanned four-high and circled the field to prevail in 1:56.2 by a neck over Clever Thing and Modern Xhibit. He paid $8.60 to win as the 3-1 third choice.
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Repeat win for Northern Escort at Flamboro
Sophomore pacer For A Bettor Time was victorious for his new connections while five-year-old trotter Northern Escort returned to the winner's circle for the first time in two years on Sunday night in the co-featured $7,000 Preferred 3 events at Flamboro Downs.
Driven by Bob McClure, For A Bettor Time ($12.50) advanced first over from fourth through fractions of :27, :57 and 1:25.2 to wear down the pacesetting Touch Of Lightning. He then held off favourite Topcornerterror, who rallied from the pocket in the passing lane, to win by half a length in 1:55 flat. Major Homer came on for third over Touch Of Lightning.
Doug Brown trains the Bettors Delight gelding, who earned his first win in five starts since being purchased from the Harrisburg Mixed Sale in November by Abbott Stables Limited of Toronto.
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Mach It Big wins in mud at Truro
Mach It Big overcame an outside post and sloppy conditions to wire Truro Raceway's top pacers and add one final victory to leading driver Ryan Ellis' credentials on Sunday.
Making his Truro debut and first start since May in the afternoon's $1,275 feature race, six-year-old pacer Mach It Big went wire-to-wire in 2:01.2 for the Moase Stable and owner Mikaela Lustic of Cornwall, P.E.I. Dreams Matter finished one length behind with Bobs Ideal over seven lengths back to round out the top three finishers.
Ellis took the Truro driving title for 2014 with 55 wins at the Nova Scotia half-mile oval. It was a close race for the runner-up honours with one win separating Danny Romo and Paul Langille. Both reinsmen picked up a single win on the eight-race card with their final totals at 39 for Romo and 38 for Langille.
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Make it 12 straight wins for Who Doesn't
Returning to the races after nearly two months off, top Alberta pacer Who Doesnt pushed his win streak to a dozen on Saturday night in his first start at the Northlands Park meet for leading horseman Travis Cullen.
This week's $8,800 Open Pace was a battle of the Cullen and Gerry Hudon trainees. Scratched down to a field of four with Comes Home First sick, the Cullen crew took the top two spots in the feature race.
Who Doesnt and Cullen circled the compact field after tepid opening panels to overtake pacesetting Hudon trainee Life Signature and Nate Sobey at the third quarter mark. The 3-5 favourite then drew off down the stretch to a three and three-quarter length victory in 1:56.1. Playbook, driven by Cullen's father Ron, finished second off a pocket trip while Premium Attaction and Hudon finished third over his stablemate.
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George Guy Gallant died Friday
It is with great sadness the family of George Guy Gallant, of Saint John, N.B., announce his passing, which occurred at the Saint John Regional Hospital on December 26.
George was born in Saint John on June 22, 1943 a son of the late William and Catherine (LeBlanc) Gallant.
George loved harness racing; he travelled in the U.S. on the Grand Circuit, drove Comte Richelieu to an EPR track record and won a heat of Gold Cup and Saucer. He also worked for the Jim Doherty Stable developing world class horses. George co-owned Port City Developments, with the late Frank Gilbride, working on construction projects.
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Trotting mare Out Of The Hat ($3.00) notched her 15th win of the year and kicked off a training triple for Stephane Pouliot on Sunday night in the co-featured $6,500 Winners Over Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
The 1-2 favourite retook the lead from early challenger and eventual runner-up Four Starz Speed after the :28.2 opening quarter and cruised through middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.2 en route to the three length triumph in 1:57.2. The win was her second in a row and fourth in her last five starts. Michelangelo finished third.
Out Of The Hat was the top trotter for wins in North America last year with 18 victories and the daughter of Kadabra and has followed that season up with another impressive campaign this year racing for Meadowgem Farm and 9096 9205 Quebec Inc. Rose Run Nash currently tops the trotting leaderboard with 19 wins in 2014.
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Wire-to-wire for Brocks Fortune at Flamboro
Brocks Fortune led from start to finish while delivering on his pari-mutuel promise in the featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Pace for horses and geldings on Sunday night at Flamboro Downs.
Driver James MacDonald sent 6-5 favourite Brocks Fortune ($4.40) to the lead off the gate and never looked back, carving out fractions of :27, :56.4 and 1:25, then holding off the pocket-pulling Mach Pride down the stretch to win by half a length in 1:54. Goldstar Badlands came from last to show, just over one length behind.
John Cecchin trains the four-year-old son of Stonebridge Regal, who has won eight races and $80,000 in purses this season, for Mark Austin Stables Inc., Noblock Racing Stable and breeder Robert Chapple.
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Accident but no major inuries at Fraser
Serious injuries were avoided in an accident that took place during the sixth race at Fraser Downs on Sunday.
Wild About Eagle (Travis Bowman) broke stride while racing in sixth place around the first turn and fell near the head of the stretch, causing interference to the trailing horses, including Judges Acenthehole (Jim Marino), Wishful Luck (David McKellar) and Kim Chee (Brandon Campbell).
Bowman and Campbell were unseated during the incident, but returned to action and fulfilled their driving duties later on the card. Early reports from Fraser Downs indicate the drivers and horses involved in the accident suffered only superficial injuries.
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Out Of The Hat took advantage of the passing lane to prevail in the featured $6,500 Winners Over Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday evening.
Fresh off a front-end victory at the Ottawa oval last Sunday, Out Of The Hat settled for a pocket trip tonight as Four Starz Speed took over command past the first quarter mark and battled on top with the challenging Euro Classic.
Trainer/driver Stephane Pouliot then sent Out Of The Hat up the passing lane to prevail over the duelling leaders by three-quarters of a length in 1:58.2. The track was rated "good" with a one second variant.
The leading trotter for wins last year with 18, the Kadabra mare has added 13 more victories to her record during her five-year-old campaign in 2014.
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Mach Pride rebounds at Flamboro
After some front-end friction took him out of contention last Sunday night, Mach Pride rebounded in the $7,000 Preferred 3 Pace for horses and geldings this evening at Flamboro Downs.
The favourite in last week's Preferred 3, Mach Pride was advancing up alongside the leading Get Around Town when they hooked up and backed through the field as a result of the interference. This week, he had things all his own way, leading wire-to-wire in 1:55.4. Mach Pride was the favourite again in Sunday's Preferred event and paid $2.60 to win. Major Homer finished over three lengths behind and Get Around Town was third.
Mach Pride has won two of his last three starts for trainer Louie Eftimiadis. The four-year-old son of Mach Three was driven by J.R. Plante and is owned by Michael Virdiramo, Sheldon Rose, Randy Zhok and Lou Green.
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Repeat win at Fraser for Beren Hanover
Beren Hanover was first up and first home to make it two wins in a row in Fraser Downs' $10,500 Open Pace on Sunday.
Trainer/driver Allan Molloy sent Dal Reo Farms' four-year-old pacer first over from fifth down the backstretch and swept by his rivals to score the 1:54 triumph over the frozen track.
Gable Blue Chip (Serge Masse), who had led through panels of :26.1, :56.1 and 1:25.2, finished third as Rock Allstar (Brandon Campbell) came through in the passing lane to snatch the runner-up honours.
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Truro feature goes to Watersides Kipper
Former Maritime stakes competitor Watersides Kipper converted off a pocket trip to score his first victory of the year in the top pacing class at Truro Raceway on Sunday.
Making his second start this year at Truro after racing in New York and Ontario, Watersides Kipper pulled the pocket and overtook the pacesetting Schooner into the stretch before drawing away by three and a quarter lengths for the 1:58.1 victory. Last week's winner in the $1,275 feature pace, Dreams Matter, followed in third.
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